Beneath the bows of a Field Maple stood tall dry stems of Bristly Ox Tongue that released their seed clocks to the breeze. In a leafless Elder a male Great Tit briefly paused before moving on. Remaining flowers included the yellows of Fleabane and Ragwort. A Buff Tailed Bumbled visited Red Bartsia whilst Yarrow, Scabious, Pale Falx, Black Medic (yellow “pom pom” flowers and clover like leaves) and Knapweed could be found in places. Horseshoe Vetch plants showed both seed pods and flowers. At the Small Copse the leaves of Ash and Sycamore were crisping, browning and curling from their edges. Of course, the evergreen Holm Oak leaves were fine!
The slow methodical mechanical hum suggested that ongoing hay cut operation were occurring. Indeed, the hay rake was active winning the hay into rows in preparation of bailing. I discovered for myself that several fields had experience a rather “selective” harvest….
The small scrub island in seaward facing Saxon showed Gorse and Hemp Agrimony flowers. As I head towards Hay Rake Quarr I took care not the step upon the hairy Fox Moth Caterpillar crawling through the grass. In the distance dogs barked and a Cockerel crowed. Also, out of sight we a Green Woodpecker and a Raven, but their calls were heard. One pair of Swallows swept low over the meadow whilst another duo skimmed the scrub canopies. Hay Rake Quarr had a bounty of berries upon Cotoneaster. Plantain flowers resemble clubs on stems with a halo of white stamens. The badger striped bird in the bush was one of two Long Tailed Tits of course. Soon they were joined by Great Tits and Blue Tits as well. A Chiff Chaff did indeed seem small when compared with the pied tit! Robins, Blackbirds and Whitethroats made appearances between the scrub cover. Two Magpies explored the cut sward between the lines of gathered hay in Holcombe Meadow. This meadow had been harvested as it should have been! I visited the pond in the corner of Johnston Meadow. At best it was damp with much Common Reed growth. However, there were the white five petal star flowers of Bog Bean.